Beijing Symphony comes to State Theatre

1:28 PM,
Oct. 15, 2013

Written by

Carlton Wilkinson

China's fascination with the classical music of Europe began in the 1950s. Exposure to it dates back even further, but the founding of the Central China Conservatory in 1950 marks the clearest beginning of the country's own investment in these styles.

Closed by Mao, who banned all Western music, the conservatory reopened in 1978, and performances of European composers, together with music of Chinese masters influenced by them, became frequent.

By now, that adds up to more than a half century of blended styles and a rich exchange of talent of each new generation between China and the West. ...